The Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) in Burla has officially withdrawn its mandatory uniform policy for undergraduate students following protests by second‑year students over the rule and other long‑pending issues.
The decision, approved by the Academic Council chaired by Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Dipak Kumar Sahoo, makes the prescribed uniform optional for all students. An official notification will soon be issued to implement the revised policy. Students must still adhere to a formal dress code and maintain discipline and decorum on campus.
The move comes days after second‑year students staged a protest demanding withdrawal of the compulsory uniform and raising hostel‑related concerns. The agitation was suspended after discussions with the Vice‑Chancellor, who assured that their demands would be placed before the Academic Council.
Introduced in August 2025, the uniform policy aimed to promote safety and equality but faced opposition over comfort and practicality. Students argued that the blue, full‑sleeve polyester uniform was unsuitable for Sambalpur’s humid climate and inconvenient for fieldwork and laboratory courses.
With the latest decision, VSSUT has signalled a more flexible approach to student concerns while retaining its emphasis on discipline and institutional standards.
